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* Library books, 81; private books, 51.
Motor Disinfecting Van.— The motor van during 1934 completed
4,490 miles, carrying 3,399 cwts. of goods.
Infestation by Bugs.— This matter has given considerable anxiety to local
authorities throughout the Country. Local authorities in London
became so concerned with the problem that they petitioned the Minister
of Health to set up an Inquiry and to obtain information as to the habits
of the pest and the means for its prevention and eradication. The Minister
caused such an Inquiry to be made and published his findings in an
excellent and exhaustive report.
The report suggests that where tenants are moving to new premises,
and shortly before the move takes place, the house and furniture should
be thoroughly inspected. If bed bugs are found to be present, tenants
should be encouraged to undertake systematic cleaning of all furniture
and effects, to prevent infested furniture being removed from house to
house. In addition to this, some scheme of efficient disinfestation will
probably be necessary to ensure the tenants being started in the new house
free from bed bug infestation. The provision of a moveable van, or
container, which can be rendered gas-tight, is already in use by many local
authorities with this purpose in view.
The City Council has given instructions for a van of special design
to be constructed in which a process of disinfestation of furniture may be
carried out.
The effects of tenants rehoused in certain estates in Westminster
have been treated with cyanide gas in vans provided by firms specializing
in this class of work. The fumigation was carried out under the supervision
of the district sanitary inspector with satisfactory results.
Coroner's Court and Mortuary.
The reorganisation of the Council's Coroner's Court and Mortuary
situate in Horseferry Road was begun in 1932, and continued in 1933,
as part of a progressive scheme of modernisation and re-equipment.
Attention was this year devoted principally to the mortuary.